NHS dental treatment in England is charged in three bands — ranging from £26.80 to £306.80 per course of treatment in 2026. Many people don't realise they're exempt from charges, and others overpay by not knowing the system.
NHS Dental Charge Bands 2026
NHS dental treatment is grouped into three bands, and you only pay one charge per course of treatment — no matter how many appointments that involves.
- •Band 1 — £26.80: Examination, X-rays, scale and polish
- •Band 2 — £73.50: All Band 1 treatment plus fillings, extractions, root canal
- •Band 3 — £306.80: All Band 1 and 2 treatment plus crowns, dentures, bridges
- •Emergency dental treatment — £26.80
- •One charge covers the complete course of treatment, not each visit
Do I pay separately for each appointment in a course of treatment?+
No. You pay one band charge for the entire course of treatment, even if it spans multiple appointments.
Who Gets Free NHS Dental Treatment?
A significant number of people are entitled to free NHS dental care. In Scotland, dental examinations are free for everyone.
- •Under 18, or under 19 in full-time education
- •Pregnant or had a baby in the previous 12 months
- •Receiving Universal Credit, income-based JSA, income-related ESA, or Income Support
- •NHS Low Income Scheme certificate holder (HC2)
- •Hospital in-patient dental treatment is always free
- •Scotland: examinations free for all
Finding an NHS Dentist
Finding an NHS dentist accepting new patients has become harder in recent years. Use the NHS Find a Dentist service at nhs.uk/service-search/dentists. If you're in a dental emergency and can't find a dentist, call NHS 111.
- •Search nhs.uk/service-search/dentists
- •NHS 111 for dental emergencies (free 24-hour helpline)
- •Dental hospitals sometimes offer NHS treatment
- •If you move, register with a new NHS dentist promptly
- •Dental schools offer reduced-price treatment by supervised students
Dental Plans — Are They Worth It?
Private dental plans spread costs via monthly fees (typically £10-£30) and cover checkups and basic treatment. These may be worth it if you need regular complex treatment. But for most healthy adults who just need an annual checkup, NHS Band 1 at £26.80/year is cheaper.
- •Denplan Essentials: ~£8-£16/month, covers checkups and hygienist
- •Private plans suit those needing regular complex treatment
- •NHS Band 1 (£26.80) cheaper than most monthly plans for healthy teeth
- •Compare what's included — emergency cover varies
- •Cashback dental plans give money back on treatment
#nhs dentist#dental costs#dental charges#free dental treatment#uk health
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